Paul John KEATING (Keating Paul John)

(p. 1944) Born January 18, 1944 in Sydney. Entry into the Labor Party of Australia. In 1969 became member of parliament from Blekslenda, a town west of Sydney (held this post until 1996). In 1975 he was Minister of Northern Australia in the government Uitlema G.. In 1979-1983 headed the Department of the Labor Party in New South Wales. When in 1983 the party led by R. Hawke returned to power, Keating was appointed to the federal treasurer and assistant at the same time the Prime Minister on matters of domestic policy. In June 1991, at the Congress of Labor Keating challenged Hawke, leader of the party, but failed. Six months later, at the next Party Congress, received 56 votes to 51, and became party leader and then Prime Minister.

In March 1993, Labor won with a slight advantage. After the election, Keating began to implement its earlier enunciated principles: the transformation of Australia's federal republic, reconciliation between Aboriginal and other peoples of Australia, the strengthening of bilateral relations with Asian states.

Program Keating, in particular his desire to make Australia an independent republic, not popular. In the 1996 elections Keating and Labor Party were defeated by the Liberal-National coalition led by Dzh.Govardom. In April 1996, Keating resigned as leader of the Liberal Party and refused to seat in Parliament, taking up entrepreneurial activities.